In this market of big plays with little ground gained, we are always looking for solid companies with an edge to bring growth to our portfolios. This week, we have our eye on four such companies that look to prove their games and launch us into an improved position in 2012.

Polypore International Inc. (PPO) is a leading worldwide developer, manufacturer and marketer of highly specialized polymer-based membranes used in separation and filtration processes. The products and technologies target specialized applications and markets that require the removal or separation of various materials from liquids, with such materials ranging in size from microscopic to those visible to the human eye.

Polypore’s financial results for the 3rd quarter include sales of $190.1 million, an increase of 25% compared with the prior-year period. Adjusted net income and adjusted EPS were $25.4 million and $.54 per diluted share, compared with $13.2 million and $.28

With so much uncertainty left in the markets this summer, I am finding myself gravitating more and more towards companies that offer solid dividends and good gains this year. I have researched another four companies that are known for consistently paying shareholder dividends and a solid backbone for their organization (click here for a discussion of the first 4 stocks)

B & G Foods, Inc. (BGS) manufactures, sells and distributes a diversified portfolio of high-quality, shelf-stable foods across the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. B&G Foods’ products include hot cereals, jams, jellies and fruit spreads, canned meats and beans, spices, seasonings, marinades, hot sauces, wine vinegar, maple syrup, molasses, salad dressings, Mexican-style sauces, taco shells and kits, salsas, pickles and peppers and other specialty food products.

B&G Foods competes in the retail grocery, food service, specialty store, private label, club and mass merchandiser channels of distribution. B&G

The last couple of months have been a slippery slide down for the markets. The Dow (DIA) is down (-7.15%) from its 52-week high of 12,928 to its 12,004 close on June 17 with the S&P 500 (SPY) down (-7.23%) and the Nasdaq (QQQ) following suit down (-9.39%). Although, as investors, we do not wish for the markets to pull back quite this much, it does create excellent opportunities to pick up some great companies at discounted prices. I have compared the following industrial companies known to be at the top of their sector.

As I work through my research every day, I have come to realize that I constantly navigate back to tech stocks. They intrigue me with their inspirational start-up stories to the amazing growth these companies produce. Here are five Tech companies worth watching …

Camelot Information Systems, Inc. (CIS) is a leading provider of world-class business solutions and IT services to the top 500 business corporations and financial institutions in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Japan through a network of 28 regional/local subsidiaries. Over the years, Camelot has been actively expanding its solution and service offerings through sustainable investments in developing proprietary solutions and establishing strategic partnerships with leading international IT product providers.

Camelot reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2011 with net revenues increasing 51.7 percent year/year to $53.6 million, compared to $35.3 million in the first quarter of 2010 and adjusted diluted

I can't count the times that I have been approached at social events by friends of friends looking for the eternal answer "how to get into the stock market without losing any money." We all want to invest our hard earned wages into vehicles that produce great returns without any risk. Of course, this is easier said than done.

The market is a gamble. The question is, are you a weekend warrior or a high roller? I always suggest setting aside a small amount of money that you aren't afraid to lose to make your first buy in the stock market, money that you were planning on spending without any return. This takes out the emotional attachment and starts the new investor on a path to make educated decisions.

The biggest pitfall new investors need to watch for is the Buy High/Sell Low catch. So many

We have seen great gains in the markets since last year. By now, I’m sure many investors are second guessing whether or not to hold onto those stocks that have brought them out of the troughs.

There is no great formula that we can use to determine whether or not a stock will continue on its upward journey or if it will begin its descent. As we all know, this market is a gamble. Our best defense is to stay in tune with the company’s current news, watch the trends in that sector and to scan for catalysts that will support further growth.

Take, for example, Priceline.com Inc. (PCLN). This company has been on fire for months now. The stock has gone from $173.32 to $561.88 over the last 52 weeks. Amazing gains for a consumer related, services stock. I have read numerous reports from the less than positive

As sure as the summer months are for vacations to rejuvenate the mind and soul, they are also for the savvy investor to rejuvenate his portfolio.

We have seen the markets slow down and turn sluggish this past May and forecast that the lazy months of June, July and August will take a break from the great gains of earlier this year. This is the time to make changes to our holdings and prepare our portfolios to reap the gains of the latter half of 2011.

In almost every sector you can find a winner - a great company, with a great business model on the verge of moving ahead of its competition by leaps and bounds. I have gathered a list of five companies that fit such criteria. All are a good fit for any diversified portfolio.

Priceline.com Inc. (PCLN) is on our list for a Services

Holly Thompson, a 22-year veteran of the financial industry, is the founder of Thompson Wealth Management, a Brazoria, Texas-based independent fee-only financial advisory firm serving the Gulf Coast area.

If you could only hold one stock position in your portfolio (long or short), what would it be?

China Automotive Systems (CAAS) is at the top of our “Buy” list right now. We have added it to our clients’ portfolios that are looking for long-term growth in an industry that is seeing huge expansion.

Tell us more about the company behind the stock.

China Automotive Systems through its business operations manufactures and sells a full range of auto parts incorporated into steering systems for both passenger automobiles